Apparatus for placement of concrete



R. W. BAILY APPIARATUS FOR PLACEMENT OF CONCRETE Dec. 10, 1940.

Filed April 13, 193s 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dety.. 10, 1940. R. w BAlLY I i2,224,506

APPARATUS FCRPLACEMENT OF CONCRETE Filed April 13, 193e 2 sheets-snaai 2P'atentedDec.` 10, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FORPLACEMENT F CONCRETE Robert William Baily, Narberth, Pa.

Application April 13, 1936, Serial No. 74,114

. 4 Claims.

My present invention has for one of its objects the provision of anapparatus of simple and inexpensive construction for practicinga methodof placement of concrete, which method is dis- 5 closed in my co-pendingapplication Serial Number 698,471, filed November 17, 1933, the presentapplication being a continuation in part thereof.

A further object is to provide an apparatus for use with a grid-likemember adapted to reinforce concrete floorshslabs or the like, the4apparatus being effective to compact concrete into the grid-like member,even into spaces below bottom surfaces of the member so that all voidsor air pockets are eliminated and the concrete l5 contacts with theentire surface of the gridlike member exposed to the concrete so that noair or Water can g-et to the metal, thus causing deterioration.

Still a further object is to provide apparatus for vibrating concrete sothat it will settle into the interstices of a metal grid-likereinforcing member even though the member itself is quite rigidlymounted, and therefore only semi-susceptible or altogethernon-susceptible to vibration.

A further object is, to provide an apparatus for imparting vibrations tothe upper surface of plastic concrete in grid-like reinforcing membersWithout .imparting such vibrations to the grid-like members, whereby theconcrete is compacted by the vibrations and rendered more plastic so asto fill all interstices in the grid-like members.

Still a further object is to provide an apparatus for use in connectionwith non-flowing, unworkable filler concrete deposited in metalgrid-like reinforcing members, whereby such concrete may be compactedinto the members by the application of vibrations thereto by theapparatus which f renders the concrete fiowableand workable so that itcan be so compacted to eliminate voids and air pockets therein.

A further object is to provide apparatus which can also be used in thetreatment of a material with or without reinforcement and with orwithout grid-like supporting structures therefor, to which end I provideone form of apparatus usable upon the upper surface of a material to betreated by propelling the apparatus across the material and allowing allor part of the weight of the apparatus to be imposed upon the materialwhile the apparatus is vibrated.

Another obj-ect is to provide a form of my apparatus provided withdownwardly extending fingers so that as the apparatus is positioned incontact with the upper surface of the material to be treated, thefingers are immersed in `the material, and since the iingers partake ofthe vibrations of the apparatus, they in turn transmit vibrations to theinterior of the mate- 5 rial while the apparatus vibrates the materialfrom its upper surface, this apparatus being associatable with thematerial so that the fingers are immersed without the apparatus restingon the surface of the material if it is desirable to 10 treat thematerial interiorly by the fingers without imparting vibrations to` theupper surface of the material.,

My invention consists in the provision of apparatus in which theconstruction, arrangement l5 and combination of the various parts willaccomplish the objects contemplated, as hereinafter more fully setforth, pointed out in -my claims, and illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a grid-like reinforcingmember with which my apparatus is used.

Figur-e 2 is a perspective view of another form of grid-.likereinforcing member.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 1,showing my apparatus in side elevation and being operated to accomplishthe iirst step in the method disclosed in my above referred toco-pending application. 30

Figures 4 and 5 are similar side elevations showing additional steps inpracticing the method.

Figure 6 is a sectional view on the line 6-6 of Figure 2,showingconcrete in place after my method of placement Vhas beenpracticed on the grid-like member of Figure 2.

4Figure 7 is a front elevation of a modied form of apparatus.

Figure 8 is a diagrammatical end elevation of 40 Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a front elevation of an apparatus similar to that shown inFigure 7 with an in-` ternal combustion engine being used as the mo- 45tive power instead of an electric motor.

Figure 10 is an end elevation of Figure 9, parts being broken away andother parts being shown in section.

Figure 11 is a front elevationy of another modi- 50 fied form ofapparatus provided with ngers to extend into the concrete or othermaterial to be treated.

Figure 12 is an end elevation of the same.

Figure 13 isv a diagrammatical end elevation 55 showing a differentmanner of using the apparatus shown in Figures 1l and 12.

Figure 14 is a front elevation showing a different manner of mountingmanipulating handles on the apparatus; and

Figure 15 is an end elevation of same.

On the accompanying drawings I have used the reference numeral I8 toindicate a supporting beam such as used under concrete floor slabs orthe like either in buildings, bridges or other structures.

A grid member is indicated generally by the reference character A andcomprises T irons II having notches I2 receiving bars I4. The bars I4are arranged on edge as illustrated, and their ends may be bent asindicated at I5 to retain them in position.

Grid-like members of the form illustrated and also other forms are builtup of steel shapes into which is placed concrete to fill the intersticesand to form the top wearing surface of a floor or slab. In some cases,the upper edges or surfaces of the grid-like member A are allowed toremain at the top surface of the concrete to assist in resisting thewear of traiiic, for instance, on bridges and viaducts. In all cases,the concrete is relied upon to furnish the ller between the variouselements of the grid-like member, to furnish or assist in furnishing thetop wearing surface and to contribute a large proportion of the strengthof the slab against deflection from superimposed loads.

Obviously, to obtain the greatest total strength from the combination ofmetal and concrete, it is essential that the concrete make intimatecontact with all the surfaces of the metal grid-like member and that theconcrete itself have the greatest possible density, not only to give theconcrete the greatest possible inherent strength, but also to preventthe ingressof water or other destructive agents against the surfaces ofthe metal to eliminate the possibility of corrosion.

In the construction of such slabs it has been found to be exceedinglydifficult to place the concrete in a manner that will exclude voids andair pockets in the mass and to bring the concrete into intimate contactwith the metal, especially in concave corners of the metal and beneathcross bars thereof. Ramming the concrete by hand or with impact hammersor the like, or manipulating its upper surface with frictional oats ortrowels, does not satisfactorily accomplish the desired result. In mostgrid-like systems, vibrations applied to the grid do not accomplish thedesired effect since the grids are rigidly attached to heavy supportswhich do not allow the concrete to be vibrated and also the grid is toorigid and heavy for vibrations to be imparted to it so that it willvibrate the concrete, causing it to settle into the interstices of thegrid.

My method of placing concrete in the grid-like member involvessimultaneous surface manipulation of the concrete and the application ofvibration to the mass of concrete placed upon the grid-like systemwithout necessarily vibrating the grid itself, thus forcing the concretedown into the interstices of the grid, into all the corners thereof,into intimate contact with all surfaces thereof and beneath all crossbars, while at the same time allowing the use of a dryer and harsherconcrete and the use of larger coarse aggregate in the mixture. All ofthese factors produce the most nearly perfect combination having thegreatest combined strength and wear resistant qualities when the slab iscompleted.

-rounded leading edge 20.

'from discharge chutes or the like.

In fact, my method will permit the satisfactory placement of concretewhich would otherwise be non-flowing and unworkable.

,My apparatus comprises a vibrator plate I6 having a vibrator mechanismB thereon and a handle I8 for manually manipulating the plate I6. Theplate I6 preferably has a beveled or The vibrator mechanism B mayconsist of an electric motor 22 or other power unit, means for mountingthe vibrator mechanism on the plate I6, such as by a casing 24 and anoff-center weight 26 on the shaft of the motor. The casing 24, asillustrated, houses the off-center weight 26.

It will be obvious that rotation of the motor shaft, causing rotation ofthe volf-center weight 26 will impart vibration tothe vibrator plate I6.The eil'ective weight of the vibrator can be increased by supportingplate-like weights 28 thereon, the number of which can be varied. Theseare preferably supported iioatinglyl for instance, by mounting themslidably on supporting rods extending from the upper surface of thevibrator plate I 6 and arranging springs 32 and 34 on the rods.

'Ihus the plates 28 are supported so that their weight is effective toincrease the weight of the vibrator unit, yet the vibrator mechanismdoes not have to overcome the inertia of the plates 28 and move them upand down each revolution of the motor shaft. Since the shaft rotates,there will also be horizontal vibration of the plate I6 as well asvertical and this is prevented from being transmitted to the weights 28by the rods 30 bending as illustrated in an exaggerated manner in Figure8.

The plates thus produce a continuous downward pressure but withoutabsorbing any considerable proportion of the vibratory energy.-

The weights 28 and 28a being in non-rigid relation to the plate I8,which may be considered a base, continuously impose their weight as' agravity load upon the plate without substantial resistance to thevibration of the plate. The vibrator is preferably driven at a speedwhich is out of resonance with the load, the speed being preferably highin order to effectively increase the iiowability of the concrete.

In practicing the method for which my apparatus is designed concrete 36is deposited in the grid-like member A (see Figure 3) by shovels orEnough is deposited in thegrid-like member to fill it with some surplusfor manipulation. The concrete is preferably somewhat dry for obtainingmaximum strength since sloppy concrete does not have the requisitestrength even though it could be used and would eliminate the diiicultyof having voids and air pockets, as indicated at 38 and 40 respectively,because it can flow into the interstices without difliculty.

With respect to the illustration of the concrete, it is shown assectioned with stippling to indicate the sand, gravel, crushed stone orother aggregate in the concrete so as not to confuse the concrete withthe air pockets 40.

After deposit of the concrete or while it is being deposited, thevibrator plate I6 is preferably propelled manually across the concretein an inclined position, with the vibrator mechanism B in operation soas to drive the air out of the air pockets and voids and with theinclination tending to force the concrete down between the T irons IIand the bars I4 as well as under the bars.

I have found it advisable to propel the vibrator plate I6 across theconcrete to drive out the major portion of the air, as shown in Figure3, then back it up and propel it across once more to drive out theremaining air, as shown in Figure 4.

There should be enough concrete so that during both of these operationsthe vibrator plate I6 does not come in contact with the grid-like memberso that only the concrete is vibrated and thereis no possibility of thevibrator tending to vibrate the grid-like member. By contact therewith,the apparatus will perform its function even if it rests directly uponthe grid-like structure, for in this position it will cause thegrid-like member to vibrate, such vibrations being transmitted to theconcrete by the grid-like member to cause the concrete to flow toposition filling all void spaces and eliminate any trapped air andsurplus water. Figure 5 the plate I6 is illustrated in contact with thegrid-like member A and the vibrator B can be operated in this positionto thus impart vibrations to the grid-like member. l

After the steps of Figure 3 and Figure 4, the remaining concrete can betrowelled off by the vibrator plate I6 drawing it in a reverse direc'-tion, as indicated by the arrow in Figure 5, with the vibrator mechanismin operation. This last operation eliminates stripping off or trowellingby hand to obtain a smooth surface and the concrete is left in positionuntouched and undisturbed. Hand ieveuing would tend to tear and InFigure 6, I have'shown lhow the concreteplaced by my method fills thespace between the bottom edges of the bars I4a and thebottom plates I'I.Likewise, in the form of grid shown in Figure 1, the space between thebottom edges of the bars I4 and the horizontal iianges of the T irons IIwill be filled.

The apparatus shown in Figures 9, 10, 14 and l5 may or may not beprovided with downwardly extending fingers 45. In these figures I haveindicated the fingers with dotted lines.

In Figures 9 and 10 I have shown a modified form of apparatus providedwith oating weight producing members 28 and 28a. The weight 28a may beremoved atwhich time the mass of the weight 28 will be less than theweight of the plate I6. total mass of the weights 28 and 28a will equalthat of the plate I6. Additional weights 28a may be used so that thetotal mass of the weights will exceed that of the plate I6. Likewise thetotal mass of the weights may be so selected that it will be inresonance with the period of vibration of the plate I6 or.out ofresonance therewith as desired. It is obvious that the same objects maybe obtained by various combinations of the weight 28 with one or moreweights 28a.

In F-igures 9 and 10 I have also illustrated the prime mover such as aninternal combustion engine 4I carried on the weight 28a, although itcould be otherwise supported as on the plate I6, as shown in Figure 7LThe object of supporting For instance, in I With the weight 28a inplace, the

the prime mover on the weight 28a is to furnish a means for damping thetransmission of vibrations from the plate I6 or the vibrator mechanism24 to the prime mover 4I. Power is transmitted from the prime mover tothe vibrator mechanism by means of a exible, and preferably.

elastic, belt 42 engaging a'drive pulley 43 on the prime mover and adriven pulley 43a on a shaft 44 journalled in the vibrator housing 24.This shaft has the out-of-balance /welght 26 secured to it.

In Figures 9 and 10 I have also shown the manipulating handles I8connected to the weights 26 and 28a for the purpose of damping thetransmission of vibrations from the vibrator 24 and the plate I6 to thehandles.

If desired the downwardly extending fingers 45 may be secured to thelower surface of the plate I6, as shown in Figures 1l, 12 and 13. Theseare attached to the plate by means of bolts 46, so that when theVvibrator mechanism 24, mounted on the plate, operates, the Vibrationsimparted to the plate will be communicated to the ngers 45 and from thefingers 45 to the material 36, causing the material to thereby bevibrated. Likewise, the plate I6 being in contact with the upper surface36a of the material will limpart vibrations directly to'the material.Since the out-of-balance weight 26 rotates, the vertical movementsimparted thereby to the plate I6 will cause the plate to vibrate thematerial 36, while the horizontal vibrations imparted thereto will causethe fingers 46 to impart vibrations to the material, whereby thematerial has vibrations imparted to it both from above externally andfrom the fingers internally.

In Figure A13 I have shown the bottom plate I6 out lof contact with thesurface of the material 36 and the lower ends of the fingers 45 as engaging a sub-grade 48. In some uses of the apparatus lt may be advisableto have the fingers submerged in the concrete without the plate I6 beingin contact therewith, and in other instances to further have the lowerends of the fingers contacting with the sub-grade as shown in Figure 13.Figures 11, 12 and 13 have reference to the placing of concrete on asub-grade. whereas the concrete can also be placed in the containingforms shown in Figures 1 and 2 andthe lower ends oi the fingers 45engaging the form instead of the sub-grade as shown in Figure 13.

In Figures 14 and/15 I show a modification wherein Ithe handles I8 areattached to the plate I6 by fiat, horizontal, flexible belts 5`Iattached by suitable brackets 52 to the plate I6. The handles I8 areattached to the belts 5I intermediate the brackets 52. Due to the actionof the out-of-balance weight 26, the plate I8 will have /lateralmovements, but the belts 5I having lateral flexibility will damp out thevibrations loefore they reach the handles I6. Likewise the vibrationscaused by up and down movement of the plate I6 will, because of thevertical flexibility of the belts 5l, be damped before they reach thehandles I8.

Instead of a flat bottomed vibrator plate I6 as illustrated I may useother shapes of vibrating devices to compact the concrete, such asvibrating rollers or the like as shown in my Patent No. 1,876,271 and inthe Baily and Gage Patent No. 2,025,703, or other appropriate devices.

The change just suggested in the apparatus and other modified forms ofstructure or mechanical equivalents might be used without departing fromthe real spirit and purpose of my invention and the method of agitatingthe concrete by vibration can be performed with various apparatus I havenot disclosed and still be reasonably included within the scope of myclaims.

I claim as my invention: l v

1. Apparatus for compacting material which becomes plastic whenvibrated, comprising a member having a substantially flat under surfaceadapted to rest on the top of and cover the material being treated andtransmit= vibrations thereto, a seri of fingers secured to the undersurface of the member and projecting downwardly therefrom a substantialdistance, a weight made up of a series of separately removable parts,yieldable means for supporting the weight on the member, and mechanismfor imparting vibrations to the member, and through it to the fingers,whereby when the member rests on the material with the fingers immersedin the material, the material is subjected to surface vibration and tointernal vibrations in directions some of which are horizontal for asubstantial depth while under pressure. l

2. Apparatus for compacting material which becomes plastic whenvibrated, comprising animperforate member having a substantially -fiatunder surface adapted to rest on the top of the material and transmitvibrationsthereto, a series of -ngers secured to the under surface ofthe member and projecting downwardly .therefrom a substantial distance,and mechanism for imparting vibrations to the member, and through it tothe fingers, whereby when the member rests on the material with thefingers immersed in the material, the wholly covered material issubjected to surface vibration and to internal vibrations in directionssome of which are horizontal for a substantial depth while underpressure, and a weight imposed upon but fioatlngly supported relative tosaid member but-out of resonance therewith,

whereby continuous pressure is transmitted there- A through to thematerial thereby assisting in the compaction ofthe material.

3. Apparatus for compacting material which becomes plastic whenvibrated, comprising a member having a substantially flat under surfaceadapted to rest on the top of the material and transmit vibrationsthereto, a series of fingers secured to the under surface of the memberand projecting downwardly therefrom a substantial distance, said memberhaving substantial weight, mechanism for imparting vibrations to themember, and through it to the fingers, whereby when the member rests onthe material with the ngers immersed in the material, the material issubjected to surface vibration and to internal vibrations in directionssome of which arehorizcntal for a substantial depth while underpressure, a prime mover associated with said vibrator mechanism,flexible means for transmitting power from said prime mover to saidmechanism, means for damping the transmission of vibrations from themechanism to the prime mover, said prime mover being of substantialweight, means for suspending the prime mover in resilient relation abovethe vibrator member whereby to impose continuously its weight as asupplemental gravity load upon the member without substantial resistanceto-the vibration of the member, and means for propelling said apparatusover and through the 'material to be vibrated.

4. A unitary mobile apparatus for compacting material which becomesplastic when vibrated having a flat' faced member adapted to rest on andwholly cover a definite area of surface of such material and adapted tobe moved about on such surface during operation, vibrators extendingdownwardly from the underside of the member for a substantial distance,said vibrators being slender to permit free movement of the member overthe surface of the material and being adapted to be moved with saidmember, a vibratory mechanism for imparting vibration to the member andto the vibrators, some of which vibrations are substantially horizontal,said mechanism being mounted to impose its weights on the member so thatportions of the material may be conveniently successively subjected tovibrations applied simultaneously to the material and to the surface ofthe material while such portions are covered and subjected to surfacepressure.

. ROBERT WILLIAM BAILY.

